Crews continue to make progress on the 11th Street double underpass, with First Avenue expected to reopen in September. (Photo/Nancy Hanson.)
Construction crews haven’t let recent downpours halt work on Moorhead’s massive 11th Street underpass project, but last week’s torrent have definitely dampened their plans.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the wet conditions in recent weeks have forced workers to continue to pump water and dry out materials to keep progress moving on the project.
This summer’s work plan combines completion of the underpass and adjacent roadways on First Avenue North and Main Avenue. Center Avenue is largely open, though unrelated work round the new extension of Sixth Street North has narrowed the lanes.
On First Avenue, crews are putting the road – which has been closed since the spring of 2024 – back together. As the subgrade dries out, the road’s base will be built – a necessary step before final grading and paving can begin. Some excavation is taking lace on the underpass toward the Hillsboro (north) railroad bridge; deeper excavation will start soon. Retaining walls are also being poured there.
While delays have pushed the completion date back, the contractor still expects to reopen First Avenue North by mid-September.
Girders – bridge beams – have been installed at the KO (south) railroad bridge. Crews are backilling around the abutments. They are working on getting the approaches done and the bridge ready for BNSF to return in September, when trains will switch from the shoofly back to the KO mainline track.
Meanwhile, the retaining wall has been poured in front of Hornbacher’s on Main Avenue. Grading is the primary focus in the area, after being hampered by wet conditions.
Another block closes Monday
One block of Eighth Street – the stretch between Dairy Queen and Moorhead Drug – closes Monday, Aug. 18 for an entirely different reason. BNSF railway will be replace the surface of the railroad crossing there.
Traffic will detour to Fifth Street via Center and Main Avenues. The closure is expected to last about two weeks.
I- 94 bridge project moving ahead
The extensive work on the Interstate 94 bridge over the Red River, led by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, continues to move forward. It includes structural repairs, deck overlays, and guardrail replacement. Completion is scheduled for October.
34th Street to reopen in mid-fall
Routine street improvements – part of Moorhead’s five-year plan — also continue to impact travel on 34th Street. The street will be closed from Highway 10 to Fourth Avenue South through mid-fall for replacement of the approach panels on the bridge over the BNSF tracks. North of Highway 10, lanes will be reduced as construction continues through late this fall.
